NEW YORK—Fifty-five percent of global online consumers across 60 countries say they are willing to pay more for products and services provided by companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact, according to a new study by Nielsen. The propensity to buy socially responsible brands is strongest in Asia-Pacific (64 percent), Latin America (63 percent) and Middle East/Africa (63 percent). The numbers for North America and Europe are 42 and 40 percent, respectively.“Consumers around the world are saying loud and clear that a brand’s social purpose is among the factors that influence purchase decisions,” said Amy Fenton,...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Association has issued “Bright Ideas,” its first-ever sustainability newsletter, which offers tips and tools to restaurant and foodservice operators on eco-friendly practices that save money, resources and help protect the environment. The newsletter, produced by Conserve, the NRA’s sustainability initiative, features a variety of videos, best practices, case studies and personal accounts of chain and independent operators who have achieved success by practicing sustainability at their businesses. “We are pleased to offer this newsletter that we think will go a long way toward helping operators embrace the prospect of sustainability and better understand the financial and environmental impacts...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, took home international top honors, receiving The Outstanding Building of the Year Award (TOBY) at the Building Owners and Managers Association International’s (BOMA) annual conference this week. The recognition is for its corporate headquarters building in Parsippany, N.J. TOBY Awards honor outstanding office buildings for excellence in building management, operational efficiency, emergency planning, tenant relations and community impact. Wyndham was honored for its achievements in the Corporate Facility category. To win an International TOBY Award, a property must first win both the local and regional competitions. Wyndham Worldwide won...

WARRENTON, VA.—Airlie, known for its distraction free meeting environment, abundant gardens and sustainable practices, has just been designated as the first lodging destination to receive the Certified Healthy Destination by the Institute for Healthy Destination Accreditation (IHDA). The IHDA PIECES Certification serves as a discernment tool for meeting professionals, business travelers and general consumers who regard health as a significant indicator of value when selecting destinations for leisure or business travel.After undergoing a rigorous and comprehensive health-value assessment, Airlie was awarded the Silver Healthy Destination Certification. “Airlie has a rich tradition in health and wellness as well as exceptional...

RENO, NEV.—The capital costs and the environmental impact of operating a large resort hotel almost always coincide. Heating, laundry, lighting, landscaping—they all have an impact on both a resort’s bottom line and the natural environment. Hotels have the opportunity to save money and save the environment at the same time, but launching conservation projects that significantly reduce a hotel’s environmental footprint and operating budget takes strategy, some innovative thinking and a commitment to capitalize conservation efforts. Here are five ways The Peppermill Resort, Spa, Casino saves millions of dollars each year while conserving water and energy and reducing the resort’s overall...

WAILEA, HAWAII—The AAA Four Diamond award-winning Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa located in the luxurious Wailea Resort destination has recently been recognized with the ‘Aipono “Excellence in Sustainability Award”. The reader’s choice award, presented by Maui Magazine, acknowledges the resort’s accomplishment as a top sustainability performer and recognizes its role in environmental leadership. “We are deeply honored with the ‘Aipono Award and applaud our associates for their exemplary environmental and resource conservation efforts,” said cluster General Manager John C. Tolbert of Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Maui and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii...

ATLANTA—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that IHG’s patented Green Engage program, the online sustainability program used by more than 2,700 IHG-branded hotels worldwide, is helping hotels address the drought conditions in California. IHG is targeting a reduction in water usage in water-stressed areas by 12 percent globally by 2017. To support this global effort on a local scale, IHG Green Engage Water Conservation Kits were sent to 230 IHG hotels in California, including Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn hotels.The resources in the Water Conservation Kits include details on how hotels can actively participate in conserving water, with...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has asked the governors in five Gulf States to support their local restaurants in a quest to maintain uncompromised, year-round access to seafood fished in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In a letter sent to Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Rick Scott of Florida, Robert Bentley of Alabama, Phil Bryant of Mississippi and Rick Perry of Texas, the NRA asked the Governors to “stand with us and support the commercial fishing sector that supplies restaurants in your state and throughout the country.” “In recent months, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Council has proposed changing...

NEBRASKA CITY, NEB.—Four years ago Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO) was in search of a new in-room coffee for one of its properties. The Arbor Day Foundation was suggested because of its Rain Forest Rescue Project. WVO partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to buy that coffee and today WVO purchases from 300,000 to 350,000 pounds of coffee annually through the Nebraska City, Neb. based nonprofit organization. To date, according to Sam Buckingham, Vice President, Resort Renovation & Design for WVO, 700,000 square feet of rainforest has been preserved because of that partnership. In April 2011, Wyndham Worldwide received the...

LAS VEGAS—The Las Vegas Marriott has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification, adding to Marriott International’s growing number of hotels participating in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED certification program.The LEED green building certification program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. In addition to earning certification, the number of points earned by a property upon evaluation will determine the rank of Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Across the Marriott portfolio, 130 hotels are LEED certified or registered by USGBC.“We are excited to add another hotel to...